Cheapest Way to Make a Ramp Over Stairs

Cheapest Material

• You can make a ramp out of aluminum or steel, but a wooden ramp is generally the most affordable option. When making a wooden ramp, WheelChairRamp.org recommends using pressure-treated wood in the form of 4-by-4-inch lumber for upright support posts, treated plywood pads that measure 1-by-1-by-0.75 feet for the bottom of the posts, 2-by-6-inch lumber for cross supports, two-by-fours for trimmers that you screw to the 4-by-4 posts and 2-by-4 diagonal braces. For the platform portion of the ramp, use plywood or decking that is 1 to 2 inches thick, depending on the amount of weight the ramp will need to support. While you can use nails to join the ramp materials, screws will do a better a job and make it simpler to disassemble the ramp in the future. The use of a wood stain or paint can help the ramp look more attractive and add weatherproofing protection.

Slope

• The American with Disabilities Act states that a ramp should not have an incline that is greater than 1:12. This means that for every foot in height, the ramp should be at least 12 feet long or more. Most ramp inclines have a slope of 1:16 to 1:20 to facilitate wheelchair use. If you live in an area that experiences freezing or rainy weather during the winter, remember that ramps with steeper slopes may be more slippery when wet or frozen. For this reason, it is a good idea to use adhesive strips of a sandpaper-like material along the ramp for added traction. The ADA states that a ramp should be at least 36 inches wide and have a landing length of at least 60 inches.

Configurations

• Because it may not be practical to have a ramp that extends several feet in front of or to the side of your home, different configurations can make the design of a ramp more compact and provide a user with a level platform on which to rest. In addition to a straight ramp, you can make a switch back ramp where two different lengths of a ramp are parallel to each other and include a flat platform at the top of the first incline. L-shaped and U-shaped ramps provide flat platforms at each corner of the configuration.

Handrails

• The ADA recommends installing handrails on both sides of a ramp if it is taller than 6 inches. A good handrail height for a wheelchair user, according to North Carolina State University, is 24 inches above the top of the ramp in case an individual wants to pull herself up the ramp. Otherwise, the ramp should be 30 inches to 36 inches tall. To make the rail easier to grip, use a round or oval shape that has a diameter of 1.25 inches to 1.5 inches. Make sure you sand the wood on handrails well to prevent splinters.